A Whimsical Secret-Garden Wedding at Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel in Taneytown, Maryland

Jamila Palmer (28 and a vascular ultrasound technician) and Dennis Friedberg (29 and a mechanical engineer) planned a whimsical secret-garden soiree for their summer wedding in Taneytown, Maryland. Antrim 1844 Country House Hotel offered a striking backdrop for the affair with its mid-19th-century Greek Revival architecture and expansive 450-acre estate, complete with manicured gardens and old growth trees. “To my surprise, the area where we held the ceremony was called the Secret Garden,” Jamila says. “It couldn’t have been a better fit.” The day unfolded with an intimate outdoor ceremony, with Jamila and Dennis exchanging vows under the ancient branches of a majestic elm tree. Jamila’s father handcrafted a wooden swing to hang from the tree for the occasion, a detail that—when paired with cascades of fresh white, pink and burgundy blooms—brought the couple’s vision to life. A vintage mantelpiece decorated with fresh greenery provided a focal point for the proceedings, while Jamila and Dennis used a love-lock ceremony to symbolize their union. The evening’s festivities kicked off inside the mansion. The decor paid tribute to the wedding’s theme, with a moss escort card display, lush arrangements of garden roses and greenery in gilded bowl vases, ornate vintage frames and a palette of cream, blush, burgundy and green making guests feel as though they’d been whisked off to an English garden. Bringing the beauty of the outdoors in, the couple draped the chandeliers dotting the ceiling of the glass pavilion with fragrant eucalyptus, pale pink florals and green amaranthus to achieve a whimsical look. A tip from Jamila: “After you get married, sit down with your spouse in private, even if it’s only for five minutes. Make sure this time is away from everyone. Sit and talk about the life-changing commitment you just made to each other, because once you start partying, the day flies by.” —Libby MacCarthy